Illinois Gun Buyer FAQ

Information for Illinois residents who are new to buying guns

For those who have never purchased a firearm before, the process might be a little daunting, but it is not as bad as you think. Each state in the USA has its own gun laws and rules for making a firearms purchase. While some gun owners think Illinois has the toughest gun laws in the country that is not true. We are not the worst; California, Maryland, and New Jersey make our state look good.

Illinois has something that other states do not have – the F. O. I. D. card. FOID stands for Firearms Owners Identification. This card, issued by the Illinois State Police (ISP), allows citizens to purchase, possess, and transport legal firearms and ammunition. The ISP issue the card after conducting state and federal background checks. Once issued, the card is valid for ten years. The cost of the card is $10.00. Applicants must be Illinois residents and include their Illinois Drivers License or State ID card number on the application. Applicants under the age of 21 must have a parent's signature on the application. The parent must be eligible to have a FOID card.

You can apply for your FOID card at GAT Guns. We have two computers dedicated to FOID applications. There are no paper applictions - it is all done on-line. We will assist you in doing the application and will take the necessary ID photo. Our fee is $25.00 and that includes the FOID fee.

Card holders must show their card when purchasing firearms and ammunition and must have the card in their possession while transporting firearms and ammunition. For more information on the FOID card and other related firearms questions, visit the ISP's website at http://www.isp.state.il.us/ and click on Firearm/FOID on the left side menu.

Once you have your FOID card, you may purchase a firearm. When you are approached by a sales associate in a gun store, you must show your card in order to handle any firearm.

Minimum age for purchase: Illinois residents 18 years of age may purchase rifles and shotguns (called "long guns"); Illinois residents 21 years of age may also purchase pistols and revolvers (called "handguns").

Waiting Period: Illinois law requires a 24 hour waiting period for long guns and 72 hours for handguns. These waiting periods are held to the minute, so if your purchase receipt says the release time is June 3, 2011 at 4:15 PM, you must wait until that time.

Paperwork: The federal laws require a BATFE form 4473 for each firearms sale made to a person who does not have a Federal Firearms License (FFL). This form contains information about the person who is buying the firearm, the Driver's License number and expiration date, the FOID number and expiration date, and the description of the firearm(s) being purchased. In addition, GAT Guns requires that you fill out our Hold Harmless Agreement. The entire process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You will also receive a brief demonstration of the operation of the firearm.

Background Check: Federal law requires a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, for all firearm purchases. The ISP conducts the background checks in Illinois. The buyer's background is checked at both state and federal levels in Illinois. The system is not always "instant"; sometimes we get delays due to various reasons. This is no reflection on the buyer's background – usually just a "computer glich" or the system is busy. We will not release a firearm unless we have an approval for the transaction from the ISP.

The only information we give to the ISP is the buyer's FOID number, date of birth, and whether the purchase is for a long gun, handgun, or both. The ISP does not get the make, model, serial number or any other information on the firearm.

Residency Requirements: You must be a resident of Illinois to take possession of a handgun, however residents of states that physically border Illinois (Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin) are allowed to purchase and take possession of long guns. The 24 hour waiting period applies. Resident Aliens (non-US citizens) are allowed to purchase firearms.

Release of the firearm to the buyer: The buyer must show their identification at pick-up and sign the 4473 and the final register receipt. Illinois law requires firearm owners to keep receipts for a period of ten years from any firearm transaction. For example: You buy your gun on January 10, 2005. You must retain the receipt until January 10, 2015.

Transfer of a firearm to another: If you sell, trade-in, or otherwise cause transfer of a firearm to another person, you must make a receipt showing the name and ID's of the transferee as well as your ID's, and a full description of the firearm including the serial number. You must keep this receipt for ten years. If you live in Cook County, there is another form you must fill out and send to the Cook County Sheriff. The form is available on thre Sheriff's web site. If you live in the City of Chicago, you must report transfer of a firearm to the Chicago PD.

Transporting a firearm: The ISP has a pamphlet titled "Transport Your Firearm Legally" that is available for download from the ISP website. It is a PDF file, so you may need Adobe Acrobat Reader to print it.

Straw Purchase: Attempting to buy a firearm for another person, who is not legally able to purchase or possess one, is considered a Straw Purchase. This is an illegal activity and is punishable as a Federal Crime. "Don't Lie For The Other Guy" is a national campaign to prevent the illegal purchase of firearms.

Firearms that are legal in Illinois: Each state has its own laws which cover the firearms that may be legally purchased or possessed in that state. Also, some counties and cities have their own laws.

Full-Auto firearms are illegal in Illinois. Full-auto, also called machine guns are allowed for law enforcement only. Some states do allow private ownership of these firearms; however a special license from the federal government is required.

Firearms registration: Illinois has no provision for registration of firearms; however some communities have their own laws. Check with your town's municipal codes.

Firearms Training: Training is not required by the state to purchase a firearm. GAT GUNS offers training for new gun buyers. See the Training page for information.

Concealed Carry: Illinois now has concealed carry. GAT TRAINING has classes, does finger printing, and ID photos - your one stop shop for the ILLINOIS CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT. Open carry is allowed only when hunting.